Arjun Yadav helps South take a vital 73 run lead over West

With the help of the fighting 87 by captain N Arjun Yadav, South Zone took the vital first innings lead of 73 runs and came back to restrict West Zone to 96 for 6 on the second day of CK Nayudu Trophy semifinal match at the Sunshine ground in Cuttack on Thursday.

Resuming the day at 53 for 3, Arjun Yadav and ASK Varma (39) forged a 102 run partnership for the fourth wicket. Varma was bowled by CD Kulkarni. The next batsmen, Stuart Binny failed to impress as he was bowled by Kulkarni without scoring a run. Four balls later Kulkarni sent back M Khadri in the same way for one.

The 47th over saw the back of Arjun Yadav, caught by Kulkarni off S Yadav. But Mohd Faiq joined G Shankar Rao (28) and steadied the boat for South Zone with a 58 run eighth wicket stand. Shankar Rao was then bowled by Yadav before the innings folded with the score line reading 267. C Kulkarni (5 for 56) and Salil Yadav (4 for 86) were the chief wicket takers for West Zone.

In the second innings, West Zone never really looked in good form as they collapsed to 96 for six in the 35 overs that they faced. Opener Vimal Joshi was still manning the crease with an unbeaten 32. Shankar Rao (2 for 18) and Mohd Faiq (2 for 18) have shared the spoils so far for the South.